| Freedom 5k Makes Record Donation to St. Germain Bike and Hike Trail | |
The Seventh Annual Freedom 5k Fun Run was held Sunday, July 3 in St. Germain. The event was started in 2005 in an effort to raise money for the new St. Germain Bike and Hike trail. Last week, race officials presented a check to the Bike and Hike Committtee in the amount of $5,400.00. This represents the largest single donation in the history of the event, bringing the seven year total to $16,082.00. Funds raised in this year’s event will be used for signage and grass seed for the recently completed Phase II section of the trail. In addition to a record-breaking donation, course records and participation records were also shattered on race day, with 295 participants representing 17 states and at least three foreign countries. Top male finisher was Brian Begalke of Chicago, IL with a new course record of 16:33. The first female across the finish line was Sylvia Bedford of Fairview, UT, setting a new women’s record of 19:37. Trophies were awarded to the top overall male and female finishers, with medals going to the top three in each of eight age categories. The 1-kilometer kids’ run, for children up to age 12, saw an increase in participation from 18 runners in 2010 to 66 for the 2011 event. Children ran through the short course along with Uncle Sam and an American Eagle, and received ribbons and other prizes at the end of the race. A tie for first place in the boys’ division went to Ty Gerstenberger of Tomahawk and Jake O’Hara of St. Charles, IL; Nicole Cullen of Oxford, IA won the girls’ division. |
 Race officials and gold sponsors met on the new section of the trail recently to present a check in the amount of $5,400.00 to Mark Hiller, Bike and Hike Trail Committee Chairman. Making the presentation were: Kelly, Andrew, and Matthew McGill (Gold sponsors and race volunteers), Amy Gauthier (representing Marshfield Clinic), Anne Small (St. Germain Chamber of Commerce), Mark Hiller, Alan Albee (Eagle Waste and Recycling), and Amy and Laura Reuling, Assistant Race Directors. |
For the sixth year in a row, St. Germain's Independence Day celebration kicked off with the Freedom 5k Fun Run on Sunday, June 27. The event was started in 2005 in an effort to raise money for the new Bike and Hike trail which was being developed in the community. In the first five years, a total of $7,832.00 was donated to the town for construction and maintenance of that trail.
The 3.1 mile run begins in the parking lot of the St. Germain Community park. The mostly off-road trail consists of primarily flat, packed dirt and gravel trail of varying width, winding through a quiet, scenic wooded area on Town of St. Germain and Wisconsin Public Service property.
The 2010 event took place on Sunday, June 28, with 175 participants representing 14 states and 5 foreign countries. Top male finisher was Robert Cook of Custer, WI in a time of 18:00. The first female across the finish line was Dana Roach of Minocqua, in 20:57. Trophies were awarded to the top overall male and female finishers, with medals going to the top three in each of eight age categories.
In the 1-kilometer kids' run ,eighteen children between the ages of one and 12 ran through the course along with Uncle Sam and an American Eagle. The first boy across the line was Jonathan Lynch, with a time of 4:19; Sydney Davis won the girls' division in 4:37.
The Seventh Annual Freedom 5k is scheduled for Sunday, July 3, 2011
In the fall of 2010, a check for $ 2,850.00 was donated to the St. Germain Bike and Hike Trail from the Freedom 5k race committee, representing funds raised at the sixth Annual Freedom 5K Fun Run. This amount is the largest one year donation since the race began in 2005, and brings the six year total to $10,682.00.
Money raised from the event comes from sponsorships and runner registrations. Gold level sponsors ($500) for 2010 included Marshfield Clinic,the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce, and Eagle Waste and Recycling; silver sponsorships of $300 were provided by Subway of St. Germain, Waldmann Construction, Inc. and Camp’s Super Valu. Additional bronze level sponsorships and door prize donations came from a number of other generous local businesses and civic organizations.
“The trail has such a positive impact on our community,” stated event co-chair Deb Harvey. “It provides a great opportunity for families to enjoy the beauty of the northwoods, while offering a safe environment for biking, hiking or running.”
The funds raised from the Freedom 5k are used for trail maintenance and development; phase 2 of the trail, extending from the present trailhead to the Hwy. O intersection east of St. Germain, is currently under construction and is expected to be completed this spring.
A check in the amount of $ 2,250.00 was donated to the St. Germain Bike and Hike Trail, representing funds raised at the Fifth Annual Freedom 5K Fun Run. This amount is the largest one year donation since the race began in 2005, and brings the five year total to $7,832.00.
Money raised from the event comes from sponsorships and runner registrations. Gold level sponsors ($500) included Marshfield Clinic and the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce; silver sponsorships of $300 were provided by St GermainWomen’s Service Club, Eagle Waste & Recycling, Subway of St. Germain and Eliason Realty of the North. Additional bronze level sponsorships and door prize donations came from a number of other generous local businesses and civic organizations.
“The trail has such a positive impact on our community,” stated event co-chair Deb Harvey. “It provides a great opportunity for families to enjoy the beauty of the northwoods, while offering a safe environment for biking, hiking or running.”
The funds raised from the Freedom 5k are used for trail maintenance and development; phase 2 of the trail, extending from the present trailhead to the Hwy. O intersection east of St. Germain, is expected to be completed in the spring of 2010.